DeWeese can stay on Pa. primary ballot despite corruption conviction

A Pennsylvania judge has rejected a challenge aimed at keeping state Rep. Bill DeWeese off the primary election ballot because of his recent corruption conviction.

Commonwealth Court Judge Keith Quigley ruled today that case law is on DeWeese’s side, since the ban on felons serving in the Legislature applies only after a lawmaker is sentenced.
A Dauphin County jury convicted DeWeese of five felonies this month. The former longtime House Democratic leader, who continues to serve in the House, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 24 — primary day.

Travis Barkley, a 30-year-old Greensboro man who challenged DeWeese’s nominating petitions, acknowledges the decision is legally correct. Barkley says he hopes the state Supreme Court will grant his separate request for extraordinary relief and clarify the law.